A badly placed assembly can fail inspections or be impossible to test. We install yours above grade where required, at the right height, with clearance for testing, then test it and file the first report.
- PriceFree quote
- TimeUsually 1 day
- TestIncluded
- FilingIncluded
Ready to book? Same-week appointments.
Installation rules we follow
- RP assemblies above grade, never in a pit
- Vacuum breakers above the highest downstream outlet
- Freeze and theft protection where needed
- Clearance for testers and repairs
Placement and height
Where an assembly sits affects whether it can work and whether it passes inspection. RP assemblies must be installed above ground, with enough space under them for the relief valve to drain freely. Putting an RP in a pit or a box that floods is one of the most common mistakes we see.
Pressure vacuum breakers and spill-resistant vacuum breakers have to be higher than the highest sprinkler head or outlet they protect, usually by at least 12 inches. On hillside lots, that can mean placing the device near the top of the yard instead of by the meter.
Double checks have more flexibility and are sometimes placed in vaults, especially on fire lines, but they still need room to be tested and repaired.
Leaving room to test and service
Every backflow assembly has to be tested every year, so it needs to be reachable. That means space around the test cocks for the gauge hoses, room to turn the shutoff valves and enough clearance to remove the check covers for repairs.
Devices wedged against walls, buried in shrubs or installed overhead in tight ceilings turn a 30-minute test into a two-hour job, or make repairs impossible without cutting pipe. We install with access in mind from the start.
We also think about who needs to reach it. A device behind a locked gate is fine for a home, but a commercial property might want it where a tester can get to it without an escort.
Freeze and theft protection
Freezes aren't common here, but inland and higher areas can get a cold snap that cracks a brass body or bonnet in one night. Insulated covers or enclosures help where that's a risk.
Theft is often the bigger threat. Brass devices near streets and lots attract scrap thieves, and a stolen device means an open line and a rush repair. A locking cage on a concrete pad is the standard fix.
We'll suggest protection based on the location, and a cage or cover can be included in your installation quote.
Finishing the job
Once an assembly is installed and the lines are flushed, we run the startup test. This is the same procedure used each year, and it confirms the device was installed correctly and works as designed.
The passing report is filed with your water district, which adds the device to its records and sets the first annual due date. You get a copy for your files.
From then on, the device needs an annual test. We can remind you before it's due, or you can add due date management and we'll handle the scheduling every year.
Raising or relocating an existing assembly
Some assemblies were installed in the wrong spot years ago: an RP in a pit, a PVB below the sprinklers or a device boxed in where no one can test it. Moving it is often the right fix.
Relocation involves new piping and fittings, and the device is retested afterward. If the old device is in good shape, we can often reuse it, which keeps the cost down.
Working with contractors
Construction projects have a lot of moving parts. We coordinate with general contractors, plumbers and landscapers to install the assembly at the right stage and test it once water is on.
Since final inspection often needs the startup report, we file it promptly.
Choosing materials and fittings
The assembly is only as good as what connects it. We use fittings rated for potable water and sized to match the device, with unions where they make future repairs easier. Larger assemblies get proper supports so the weight isn't hanging on the pipe.
Outdoor devices near sprinklers or soil get fittings that hold up to the weather. These details don't show on the test report, but they're the difference between an install that lasts and one that leaks in a few years.
Once it's in
The first test and report are included. From then on, plan on an annual test.
Questions
Can an RP go underground?
No. The relief valve has to drain, so RPs go above ground.
Can you move an existing assembly?
Yes. A moved assembly has to be retested afterward, and we include that.
How long does installation take?
Most installs for 2-inch and smaller assemblies take a day.
Do you add a cage or cover?
If theft or freezing is a risk, we recommend one and include it in the quote.
Can a PVB go next to the meter?
Only if the meter is higher than every sprinkler it protects. On sloped yards it often needs to go uphill.
Do you pour a pad for a cage?
Yes, when a cage is part of the job we include the pad it bolts to.
Why Redlands customers call us for backflow assembly installation
We're a local company that focuses on backflow prevention. Every test is run by a certified tester with a calibrated gauge, and every report is filed with your water district as part of the job, not as an add-on.
You'll know the price before any work starts. Testing is a flat $105 per device under 4 inches and $175 for 4 inches and up, and repairs, replacements and installs are quoted first. We answer the phone seven days a week from 6am to 12pm, same-week appointments are normal, and emergency calls are taken 24/7. When the job's done, you get a copy of the report by email so you always have proof on hand.
Where we offer Backflow Assembly Installation
Our testers handle backflow Assembly Installation across Redlands and the surrounding area, from Loma Linda, Mentone, Calimesa, Highland and Yucaipa. Call for the next opening or schedule online.